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Show Wednesday, January 16. 1991 Page 8 Utah Foundation reports: Orem-Geneva Times State revenues exceed expenses for third straight year State revenues exceeded state expenditures in Utah for the third consecutive year, according to a Utah Foundation analysis of Utah state finances. The Foundation study, shows state revenue totaled $2,969,233,000 and state expenditures amounted to $2,847,729,000 during the 1989-90 fiscal year. Nearly half ($54 million) of the $121.5 million revenue excess recorded in fiscal 1990 was accounted for by the unemployment compensation trust fund. This fund is financed by special payroll taxes collected from Utah employers and is used to provide benefits to unemployed workers. Analysts noted that the strong showing in Utah state finances over the past three years was achieved by conservative growth in the state government and an improving economy. Although it is expected that Utah should do somewhat better than the national as a whole during the 1990s, a slowing U.S. economy might have some negative impact on Utah finances during the period immediately ahead. TAXES State taxes amounted to $1,933,703,000, or 65.1 percent of total revenue receipts during the 1989-90 fiscal year. This represented an increase of $86.5 million, for 4.7 percent over the amount received during the previous year. The report attributes most of this gain to a stronger economy last year as there were no major changes in state tax rates during the year. The general sales tax continues to be the largest single tax source for the state of Utah, accounting for nearly 37 percent of all state tax revenue and 24 percent of total revenue receipts. Last year, the sales tax produced $710 million for state purposes plus an added $168 million for local units of government. Other important state tax sources in Utah include the individual income tax-$660 million (22.2 percent of total revenue), motor fuel taxes - $180 million (6.1 percent), corporate franchise (income) tax -$104 million (3.5 percent), and the unemployment compensation tax - $94 million (3.2 percent). The property tax also is a major revenue producer ($757 million in fiscal 1990), but all of the proceeds from the property tax are used to finance local units of government. EDUCATION Approximately 83.5 percent of all state spending in Utah is for education, social services, and transportation, Education, of course, continues to be the number one area of state expenditures, accounting for $1.2 billion, or 42.1 percent of all state expenditures during the 1989-90 fiscal year. Not included in this total are educational expenditures from locally-raised locally-raised taxes, expenditures for major capital projects at the educational institutions, and spending from fees and other restricted funds at Utah colleges and universities that are not reported on the books of the Utah Division of Finance. Social services (public assistance, corrections, mental health, family services, public health, unemployment compensation, aging, alcoholism and drugs, youth corrections, etc.) is the second largest area of state spending fin Utah. Last year, expenditures from these items totaled $813 million, or about 28.5 percent of all state expenditures. expendi-tures. Other major areas of state spending in Utah include highways and other transportation - $368 million, general government - $179 million, mil-lion, capital projects - $69 million, natural resources - $64 million, community and economic development - 462 million, public safety -$47 million, business, labor, and agriculture - $26 million, and interest on the general debt - $20 million. Most Utahns feel medical care a 'right' not a 'privilege' The maioritv of Utahns Dolled feel medical care is a 'right,' rather than a privilege,' regardless of one's ability to pay, concludes a survey done for the Utah Hospital Association by Dan Jones and Associates. As-sociates. While 77 percent ofUtahns feel no one should be denied "basic medical care, a smaller 64 percent agree that expensive medical procedures pro-cedures should be available to everyone, even if financial resources resour-ces are unavailable. When considering con-sidering which factors should determine who receives limited medical procedures, such as organ transplants, respondents feel that 'successful outcome' should be ' given much stronger consideration than 'ability to pay.' The Dan Jones and Associates survey, taken in late September, sampled 603 Utahns across the state with a possible error of plus or minus 4 percent. While 26 percent of the respondents respon-dents believe government agencies currently pay for people who lack the money or insurance for hospital care, a greater number (34) believe the government should pay in these cases. Forty-two percent per-cent feel all patients are paying these unpaid hospital bills through increased charges, but only 9 percent feel this is the way it should be. "Nobody likes to feel they are carrying more than their share of the cost of health care," explains UHA President Rick Kinnersley. "Hospitals too, don't like it either when the federal government only reimburses hospitals 68 cents on the dollar for the care rendered to Medicare patients. This 'cost There have been a lot of people born and a lot of things happen over the years Under Timpanogos Green. Deep in the roots of a community are the surging, vital forces which nurture nur-ture its growth and direct its life. Like a few varieties of trees, some towns burst forth quickly into life, mature quickly, and then die. Other towns, like the Sequoia, have unpretentious beginnings and take a century to mature. The City of Orem has grown like the giant Redwood. In the space of a hundred years it has developed from an arid, desolate benchland to a thriving metropolis numbered among Utah's five largest cities. The history of that development develop-ment is a fascinating story of struggle, sacrifice and planning by men and women of courage and vision. All who came to homestead on the rocky benchland did not stay to make substance of their dreams. For some, life seemed too difficult and unrewarding. SOLID FOUNDATION But for those who did stay to build the community, the compensations com-pensations have been many and substantial. They and their children have built a solid foundation foun-dation upon which a thriving city has grown. Those who have come after owe a large debt of gratitude to the early pioneers of this community. com-munity. But, in the true sense, residents resi-dents of Orem have always been pioneers. Every decade has seen its men and women pioneer the way to better education, finer churches, greater business 'development, wholesome recreation, recrea-tion, thriving industry and higher culture. Orem's wide renown as Utah's choicest residential community is high tribute to the many pioneers throughout its history who have contributed so much. TONIGHT'S CLASS The fascinating story of how this community was settled and the families who homesteaded the land is being told in the old Pioneer House located on the campus of Utah Valley Community Com-munity College. The class, en titled "Pride in Utah Valley Pioneer Heritage" is being held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Wednesday Wed-nesday evening for the next 15 weeks. Instructor for the class is Helen Bunnell Weeks who was born in the Pioneer House. Those interested in taking this class are invited to come this evening and trace their roots and spread their wings. REMEMBERING STAN It would be nice to believe that there have been no problems for anyone who lived Under Timpanogos Tim-panogos Green, but that is not the case. There were always a few wayward youths who seemed to lack direction in their lives and who needed a helping hand to stay out of trouble. Some of those problem boys came under the influence in-fluence of Stan Chynoweth, a big, generous man who cared. He cared a lot. Stan cared enough to turn his basement into a boxing club where boys could come in off the streets and get some direction in how to throw a punch and how to lead a good life. Over the years, a lot of boys joined Stan's Boxing Club and came under the tutelage of a man who taught them to fight with courage and enthusiasm. Boxing wasn't every boy's forte, but there were a lot of them who had their lives turned around by the discipline dis-cipline and hard work Stan required re-quired of them in order to belong to this club. LARGER SPACE Stan's Boxing Club outgrew his basement and there were other, larger quarters that were obtained to give more boys a chance to box. A lot of those boys had some hard times through their teen-age years, and sometimes, some-times, Stan was the only one who would listen to them and help them through a difficult crisis. Lloyd Ungricht, now Lieutenant in the Orem Department Depart-ment of Public Safety, was a member of Stan's Boxing Club. "If it hadn't been for Stan, I probably would have spent a lot of time in jail," he says. PRO CHANCES Both he and his brother? Ralph, who won a national AAU championship, had a professional boxing opportunity. Danny Lopez, Gary Brown, Dell Fowler and Ernie Lopez were some of the brightest stars in Stan's Boxing club. Some of Stan's boys brought home trophies and Golden Gloves crowns, but most importantly, they brought home a sense of discipline, dis-cipline, self-worth and stability. Stan Chynoweth left a heritage of love and concern that will endure long after the final belLUnder Timpanogos Green. shifting" trend has been in effect for years, but only recently has it added greatly to higher charges as government and the private sector withdraw support to pay for the care of Utah's elderly and poor." Almost three-quarters (72) of the I sample believe employers should be required to provide 'basic' health insurance to all employees, and suggest that businesses should offer incentives to employees to stay well. "We are encouraged to see this positive suggestion of "wellness' incentives come out in the survey. We also agree with the findings suggesting that Utahns choosing an unhealthy lifestyle should pay a 'user's tax' to subsidize the drain on the health care system," says Kinnersley. Over half (57) report they probably or definitely wold pay more state taxes to support Utahns unable to pay for health care. Of those willing to pay more state taxes, 56 percent said they would pay between $1 to $10 per month to provide health care for the uninsured. "While that appears to be a sincere and generous offer, that would still be inadequate for the more than 250,000 Utahns today not having health insurance. And, some have suggested a proposal to add another 95,000 eligible Utahns to the indigent roster would cost the state approximately ap-proximately another $17 to $20 million over the next five years-more years-more than eating up what the additional $5 in taxes Utahns would be willing to pay," concludes con-cludes Kinnersley. Business survey reveals local "upbeat" attitude Bv Jeanne Thavne "Positive and upbeat." are ad jectives Chamber of Commerce President Steve Densley used to describe responses to a recent survey prepared by Squire & Company, a public accounting firm, and distributed through the ProvoOrem Chamber of Commerce Com-merce at the beerinninff of Decem ber 1990. We are delighted to note that business leaders in the area are optimistic for business DrosDects in 1991," said Densley. "We seem to be in a unique circumstance... and that spells out a strong positive posi-tive attitude of things to come." When asked if thev felt their business would increase, decrease de-crease or remain stable in 1991, 90.9 percent of the respondents expect their business to remain stable or increase. In the profit area, 63.6 percent predict in creased profits in the coming year ana another zU.l percent expect profits to at least remain the same. Onlv 10.4 Dercent of the business leaders responding foresee a decrease in profits and 5.2 percent are unsure what 1991 profits will bring them. Ron Kins of Souire & Com pany said, "Although national indicators in-dicators aren't so optimistic, we expect better results.for our val ley." He added that 36.4 percent of local businesses expect employment employ-ment levels to increase next year. Another 50 percent expect to remain the same. Only 0.7 percent per-cent of the businesses expect employment to decrease with another 3.2 percent unsure. One surprise the survey revealed, said Densley, was the indicated need for qualified employees. Several businesses listed this as their number one concern. Densley said sales people, secretaries and receptionists are getting more and more difficult to find. "This could be because of needed computer skills and because be-cause telemarketing pools and telecatalog companies have increased," in-creased," said Densley. Technical software related jobs an d machi n-ing n-ing type jobs also may be getting more difficult to fill. Densley said the Chamber and UVCC are cooperating in creating courses designed to teach needed skills. Good programmers are especially in demand but one business busi-ness leaders said he often won't hire a programmer because, 'If they don't already have a job, they probably are not a good programmer." program-mer." Other concerns listed by business busi-ness leaders included "govern mental regulations" followed by "tax increases." Health benefit costs were another significant concern. Despite some concerns over fuel costs, environmental improvement im-provement costs, and the Middle East crisis, about 50 percent of the businesses responding said they intended to expand in 1991. "This reflects the positive outlook out-look of Utah County businesses for the new year," said King. "Even though 9.7 percent thought they would relocate to a new location loca-tion within the state (most to a new location within the ProvoOrem area) not one business busi-ness plans on leaving the state. Over 39 percent of those business busi-ness leaders responding to the survey classify their businesses as "service industry" related. Retailers made up 23.4 percent of the respondents, financial service businesses 8.4 percent, and 6.5 percent are in manufacturing. The survey was mailed to 600 businesses in the area. About 25 percent responded, "a pretty good return," said Densley. The Chamber president said he wanted the survey to be complete com-plete when the new Chamber board meets so it can be incorporated incor-porated in the Chamber retreat plans for March. Support the Stork baby shower The second annual Simnnrf The Stork Baby Shower will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, from 10:30 to 11:30. The event is sponsored spon-sored by the Utah Citizens for Alternatives to Abortions Parenting classes set to develop responsible children Parents with children in Alpine, Al-pine, Provo, and Nebo school districts dis-tricts interested in learning how to raise responsible children are invited to join free classes the last week of January. The series of nine classes, sponsored by The Gathering Place, 555 S. State, Orem, will teach parents how to help their children take more responsibility, respon-sibility, accept and obey family rules, develop better judgement, and learn to talk with parents, and cooperate with brother, and feel good about themselves. The course, "Developing Responsible Children" offers free child care and refreshments for the children, while the parents learn more about how to be a suc cessful parent in the nineties. And how to make the job of parenting easier and more enjoyable. enjoy-able. The classes will be taught from 7 to 9 p.m. at Sharon Elementary, 525 N. 400 E., Orem, Tuesday evenings. Classes also will be taught Wednesday evenings at Joaquin Elementary and Thursday evenings at Sunset View Elementary in Provo; Springville High Tuesday evenings and Payson High Thursday evenings, Meadow Elementary in Lehi on Wednesday evenings and Greenwood Green-wood Elementary in American Fork on Thursday evenings. For more information or to register, call The Gathering Place, 226-2255. (UCAA) to benefit local pregnan cy neip centers. To participate in the activity; citizens are invited to bring new or gently used maternity items, baby clothing to size 3, baby beds, car seats or diapers, etc. to Provo or American Fork locations during the hour specified. Provo collections will be received at the Church of the Nazarene, 150 N. 700 West, Provo. or His Place Bookstore, 255 N. University Ave. American Fork site is the Calvary Chapel, 210 East 200 North, American Fork. If you want to contribute but cannot deliver goods at the time specified, the Provo locations also will be open Friday, Jan. 18, between be-tween 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you have questions call Mol-lie Mol-lie Bowring, project coordinator at 371-2597 or Camille Williams, President UCAA, 375-7578. Microwave Servicing All Makes No Charge For Estimate with this ad We Mend Everything Under the Moon THE MENDING SHED , 1735 So. State St Orem 225-8012 to if come taste success. You've gained and lost hundreds of pounds in your lifetime. You've been on every conceivable diet. And still you're carrying an extra fifty pounds or more. And no wonder. Obesity isn't a weakness of character. char-acter. It's a disease. A complex and multifaceted disease requiring more than quick answers and fad diets. The Optifast Program can help. It's exactly what the name implies. A program. A hospital based, medically supervised program. With a team of doctors, doc-tors, nurses and other medical professionals to support you every step of the way. Call us at 379-7271 for information about our next orientation session. Success can taste very sweet indeed. OCTIFAST UTAH VALLEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER A service of Intcrmountain Health Care |